Not Far (VAR) Enough*

Sometimes the simplest tasks can assume the trickiest path to resolution Last week was just an odd week Things started well with a record number of members taking the opportunity to kick start their week with Monday morning’s Ruskin Sports Village assembly 54 represents a new high water level There was a mixture of old, new and returning people with Steve ‘Clint’ Eastwood visiting from the white heat of Andalusia, his vacation’s ambition realised with a game at his old Club

After introductions and distribution of eight team shirts/bibs the following teams lined up for photographic posterity

Red - Robin, Liz, Lord Rainford, Haggis, Mark Dav and Steve Jones

Blue - Cornelius, Enoch, Big Tony, Aldo, Roger and Julie

Old Gold - Joe the Ghost, Chopper, Big Phil, Jill Tomo, Ian Connor, Chris K and John Hill

Purple - Glen, PaulF, Lefty, Tracey, Peter Webster, Margaret and Mike Thomo

White - Little John, Snakehips, Clint, Dave Roberts, Monday Michelle, Tom Mc & Citeh Geoff

Green - Anita, Les H, Eileen, Mark NR, Amazon, McSpeed and Les Meldrew

Black - Eamon, Brian Smith, Ashy, Phil the Cat, Andy, Triallist and Trish

Orange - Honeyman, Steve Harding, Dame Sheila, Mark A, Cockney Rebel, Tom Stretch and Wickie

El Presidente, nursing a slight hamstring gah, took the reins of the White v Green contest A game that was played in an outstandingly sporting atmosphere With a couple of early reminders that the pace needed to slow, the likely perpetrators showed admiral restraint and ensured the Laws of the Game were respected for the benefit of all Both sides played with genuine attacking intent and moved the ball with real purpose The first goal was scored after 29 minutes with El Niño Clint Eastwood firing White ahead 1-0 Green went on to equalise in the final minutes for a deserved 1-1 draw Great game to watch and be involved in too

El Presidente then left this evenly poised contest to oversee the nearby Blue v Red clash, which had started minus a referee, in hindsight perhaps not the brightest moment of the morning! The choice of word ‘clash’ did at times seem fitting as tempers had frayed El Presidente took a firm grip on the remaining contest as the body count threatened to match the score 2-2 or perhaps 3-2 for Red, Aldo had claimed both Blue goals, it is unclear who had scored for Red But in the final reckoning Steve Jones did fire another goal for Blue (3 or possibly 4 - 2) Mark Dav suffered a serious looking knee injury and had to sit out the time remaining

What is clear is that there was too much chatting, banter or baiting Respect your opponents There was a suggestion that players were over-physically imposing themselves on opponents The arrival of the Referee resolved that but it was not a pleasant experience for any of the combatants We need to get back to the realisation that Walking Football is another way for those too old to play regular football still enjoy the game There’s no reward other than the sheer enjoyment of playing There’s no VAR There’s no need for controversy We’ve enjoyed a prolonged spell of playing without cards being required Let’s keep it that way

The morning’s other games included a fine 1-1 draw with Eamon recording Black’s goal, cancelling out a Tom Stretch effort for Orange Referee Mika was impressed with the very sporting manner of the game, some great moves, fine saves and honourable draw

Old Gold over-powered Purple in the other match with Charlie taking charge of the action Big Phil Moss found the net 4 times with Tomo nabbing a hatrick, Chris Kelsall 2 and Joe ghosting in for his usual goal as Gold hit 10 Purple did well enough to score 4 times, on another day surely a winning total? But Gold were clinical and just too strong for their plucky opponents “It wasn’t a one sided 10-4 game” explained Charlie The statistics might not agree however

The session over, there was a decent attendance for a discussion, led by Citeh Geoff Painter on the very relevant issue of Prostrate Health The discussions highlighted the importance of requesting PSA tests to ensure that early diagnosis can be detected and necessary action taken Our thanks to Geoff for sharing his own story, advice and personal research information Don’t assume because you have no symptoms that you are in the clear Again the statistics tell a different story

Wednesday’s fine afternoon weather persuaded a reasonable turnout of players to promenade at the Sutton SoccerDome As usual those present split their loyalties between the indoor Sports Hall and the AstroTurf wastes

The Innards were;

Yellow - Joe the Ghost, Andy Man, Les Hewitt and the Triallist

Blue - Honeyman, Citeh Geoff, GRAV, Lord Rainford and Robbo

The result was a good game of football with little to choose between the sides Yellow created chances but squandered chances In contrast Blue were clinical and efficient Goals before the break from Citeh Geoff and Robbo handed the advantage to Azzuri Fine saves by Rainford and Citeh Geoff repelled attempts at a fight back GRAV and then The Honeyman wrapped an emphatic score In truth the game was much closer The usual handshakes and sharing of after sun lotion to prevent indoor burn marked an end to proceedings

The outdoor portion of the night’s action was a cliffhanger from start to explosive ending

The teams responsible were;

Red - Haggis, Chris 10P, Gaz, Eamon, Chris 4G, Paul Cott’, Chris Sully and Brian Smith

Green - Mike Thomo, Deano, Eileen, Cockney Rebel, Gonzalo, Martin Mc, Jason & Little John

The Red’s opening attack ended in bizarre fashion when Little John diverted a through-ball from Paul meant for Haggis, into his own net Green’s first real touch an unfortunate omen? Gonzalo tested a full length diving Brian Smith twice (death wish on the skin of his knees?) firing an equaliser wide of the despairing keeper for 1-1 at the second attempt

Paul Cottington converted well on the end of a great team passing move to put Red 2-1 up Chris Sully was next to prosper from excellent passing with a neat finish for 3-1 Red well on top He was soon to claim the best finish to date, including a nutmeg on a hapless defender Red stretching their lead to 4-1 Eamon sealed the next Red goal from short range 5-1 Green struggling to cope with the deluge

The half time break allowed a strategic change to be made with Mike Thomo and Chris Sullivan switching sides as El Presidente invoked the customary 4 goal deficit change

The affect of the changes took almost 8 minutes to bite when Sully intercepted in mid park to feed Gonzalo who claimed his second goal 5-2 Red still comfortably on top Green had to be sharper in their general work Eileen found yards to space to pick off a wayward clearance from Red 5-3 Was the comeback really on?

Green playing now with intensity, produced a great clearing pass to split the Red defence to find Gonzalo in space to fire Green back within touching distance 5-4 Green pressed Red into defensive errors with Gonzalo cooly slotting the equaliser as Red lost their earlier composure 5-5 with time edging closer to the final whistle

Red finally produced some of their earlier quality to set up Eamon to stroke home 6-5 with less than 3 minutes to play Deadly from close in as ever

In the end an edgy finish to the night with a 6-5 score Red just about deserving their narrow victory Tasty at times possibly an understatement

We include a photo of a group of members preparing to enjoy their introduction to the ‘new’ game of Padel Our thanks extended to resident expert Chris Kelsall who is a regular player of this growing phenomenon

Details of how contact or enquiries can be made for anyone interested in information on Prostrate Health are also featured We can only urge anyone concerned to take positive action It could save your life

Not Far (VAR) Enough - Thompson Square (Nashville husband and wife country artists, described by Rolling Stone magazine as “vivacious”)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Des7sG2TSAw